Spiritual Growth

 The following is from A. B. Simpson's book A Larger Christian Life:

"It is very evident . . . that we do not grow into sanctification, but grow from sanctification into maturity.

"This corresponds exactly with the description of the growth of Christ Himself in the opening of the gospel of Luke. 'The child grew and waxed strong in spirit filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.' Surely no one will dare to say that He grew into sanctification. He was sanctified from the very first. But He was a sanctified child and grew into manhood.

"And so still later, in Luke ii: 5, it is added that, at the age of twelve years, 'Jesus grew in wisdom, and stature, and in favor with God and man.'  

"And so the same Christ is formed in each of us; is formed as a babe and grows, as He did on earth, into maturity in our spiritual life, and we grow into a closer union with Him, and a more habitual and intimate dependence upon Him for all our life and actions.  

"Beloved, have we come to the starting [emphasis added] point of spiritual growth by receiving Christ as our indwelling sanctifier and life?"